Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 7: Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organisation (SABLO), an apex body of various Bhandara Organisations, engaged in rendering services of free food, distribution of blankets, night shelter facilities to the pilgrims on both the routes to the holy cave during Shri Amarnathji Yatra every year has demanded cancellation of yatra this year in view of the spread of COVID-19.
The SABLO in this regard has submitted some suggestions to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) regarding this year’s yatra. This was stated by Rajan Gupta, general secretary & Vijay Kumar Thakur, president of SABLO in a statement issued here today.
Rajan Gupta, and Vijay Kumar Thakur said they suggested that this yatra should not be conducted in view of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the best interest of yatris, other stake holders and above all nation.
Rajan Gupta, informed that during the last meeting with Board regarding making of necessary arrangements for the convenience of yatris held on 22.04.2020 the SABLO had suggested that the yatra should not be conducted this year.
He said after discussing various issues, particularly, the increasing number of Red zones on the way and spread of Corona Virus in J&K a press release was also issued in this regard. But for the reasons best known to the Shrine Board within span of less than half an hour, Shrine Board took a complete U-Turn on this decision and withdraw the said press release and intimated to the media that a final decision will be taken on conducting Yatra 2020 after reviewing Covid-19 situation in coming days. SABLO, was ready to set up Bhandaras at designated sites in case Shrine Board still decides and plans to conduct Amarnath Ji Yatra under prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. However, SABLO at the same time had raised many apprehensions that such a decision on the part of Shrine Board will not at all be good for the yatris, administration, Bhandaraswallahs and other stake holders like J&K Police, security forces, labourers, Ponnywallahs, porters, Palki wallahs, tent wallahs, shop keepers, staff of SASB etc. and will put the lives of all into danger and will also create additional problem for all the stake holders to render their services under this dangerous situation in the country, particularly in J&K, he added.
Vijay Mehra, secretary, informed that they have come to know that Shrine Board is contemplating to conduct Shri Amarnathji Yatra from 21st of July to 3rd of August, 2020 for a short period of two weeks. “Even if Shrine Board takes such a decision, we once again assure that the Bhandara Organisations will be ready to render services as in the past,. But for the safety and security of Yatris in particular and all other stakeholders in general, we once again like to apprise our strong apprehensions about difficulties and grave threat involved in conducting Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, 2020 amid COVID-19 pandemic”, he added.
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